Because I have gotten a few emails from people wanting to know how to enter the ECA Contest, I thought I would repost the information here.
Some people have asked why we require that the vlog or video must be captioned or include a transcript. The reason for such is this – the theme of this contest is Equal Communication Access. This means Equal Communication Access FOR ALL…regardless of what communication mode you use. Some people use ASL, some people use captions, some people use speech and lipreading, some people use auditory aids, etc. We want the vlogs and videos to be accessible to everyone, including people who may not know ASL.
Not all of our judges are fluent in ASL. One of our judges is a hearing person who has beginning ASL skills. The reason we asked her to be a judge is to represent the hearing community who is trying to understand more about Equal Communication Access and what it means, and why it is important. Crystal can help bring a very important perspective to the judging. For those of you who have not met Crystal, I would encourage you to go visit her blog and read her post about Equal Communication Access:
http://crystaldolphin.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/why-i-support-equal-communication-access/
One of the important things about the ECA Campaign is education. We are hoping to spread the word to the general public about why Equal Communication Access is important to us, and why it needs to be important to them also. We need to keep in mind that many people do not understand about interpreters, or about captioning, or about relay services, or about assistive technology, or about ASL. We hope to use your blogs and vlogs and videos as ways of helping to educate them so they can learn more and understand better.
Most of the general public does not know sign language, so if you create a vlog or video that uses ASL, they won’t be able to understand it. This is why we are requiring that entries either have captioning, or include a transcript. We know that captioning isn’t always easy, which is why we will allow a transcript. If this is a problem, please feel free to contact Virginia or Deaf Pundit for assistance.
We want the message to come from YOU…not from us!
You are the people who know best what Equal Communication Access means to you. You are the people who know best why it is important. You have your thoughts, your feelings, your experiences. Maybe you had to go into the Emergency Room without an interpreter. Maybe you’ve been frustrated at not being able to watch news videos on the internet because they are not captioned. Maybe you’ve tried to order a pizza and had someone hang up on you because they didn’t know how to use relay services.
So why not share your experiences in a blog or vlog or video, post it, and then enter our contest? We would love to have you, and you will be helping us to spread the word… YOUR word!
There are five categories that an individual can choose from. You can only enter ONCE, in one of the following categories:
Best Blog Entry – A written blog from a deaf or hard of hearing person sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA. Blogs must be written in English, and can include pictures, etc.
Best Vlog Entry – A video blog from a deaf or hard of hearing person sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA . While most vlogs are signed in ASL, the vlogger is free to use whatever communication method desired (signing, cueing, verbal speech, etc.) however, the vlog must be accessible through the use of captions or an included transcript.
Best “Friend of ECA” Entry – This is a blog or vlog created by a hearing individual, sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA. If your entry is a vlog, you are free to use whatever communication method desired, but the vlog must be accessible through the use of captions or an included transcript.
Best International Entry – We wish to encourage participation on an international level, and thus we encourage blogs/vlogs from deaf and hard of hearing individuals in other countries, where the concept of Equal Communication Access might be different from America. If you are from a country outside of the USA, we encourage you to submit an entry! While you may write your blog in your native language, please also include an English translation within the blog itself. If you wish to make a vlog using your own language (manual or spoken), please feel free to do so, but the vlog will need to include English captions or an included English transcript.
Best Video Entry – Perhaps you want to get a bit more creative and develop a video…sort of like a short movie clip. (click here to see the ECA video as an example). This category is for you! Videos can be submitted by deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing individuals from either here in America or from other countries. Again, the video needs use whatever methods possible so it can be understood by the majority of viewers.
Please make sure that you follow the rules as explained in each category. Failure to follow the rules (such as not including captions or a transcript) will result in disqualification from the contest.
Write a blog or create a vlog/video that explains why you support Equal Communication Access. You can share your thoughts, express your feelings, use some examples, whatever you desire…as long as you are talking about ECA. You can talk about what Equal Communication Access means to you. You can talk about why you need Equal Communication Access. You can talk about what can be done to create Equal Communication Access.
Please remember that the purpose of these blogs/vlogs/videos is to help educate people about what Equal Communication Access is, and why it is important. We want to encourage people to think about things such as captioning, interpreters, relay services, ASL, etc. Most of these people know very little about deafness or communication issues. Most of them do not know sign language. This is why we require that vlogs and videos be accessible through the use of captions, transcripts, or other means of conveying the message so it can be understood by the majority of people. Please also remember that not all deaf and hard of hearing people know or are fluent in sign language, so verbal narration alone is not sufficient.
Once you have written/created your blog, vlog or video, post it on your own site.
Select the category that you wish to enter from above, and then send an email to our Equal Communication Access Contest Coordinator, Virginia L. Beach (a.k.a. “Ocean”) at
vabeach25@insightbb.com
In your email, please include the following:
1. Your name or blogger name (the name by which you want to be known for this contest)
2. The name of your site (your blog name)
3. The title of your post (the blog/vlog/video you created for this contest)
4. The link (URL) for your post
5. The category you are entering (you can only choose one)
You MUST send an email to be entered into the contest. Posting your blog/vlog/video at DeafRead does NOT mean you are entered. No email, no entry…period.
You will receive an email response to tell you that you are entered in the contest.
Deaf Pagan Crossroads will post a weekly listing of all entries received for that week – you can check that list to make sure you are included.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY SATURDAY, AUGUST 25TH
NO EXCEPTIONS!
TOP FIVE FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH
WINNERS OF EACH CATEGORY WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
Any questions? Contact Virginia at vabeach25@insightbb.com or post a comment here.
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
Deaf Pagan Crossroads 
I just quickly glanced over the instructions for this competition. At first I thought it was for vlogs only and since you were emphasizing ECA I could understand your emphasis on captioning for the ASL vlogs. But when I read further on, I was confused by your allowing written blogs to be submitted WITHOUT an ASL translation. What is ECA without ASL? Please either remove the English only blog part or require an ASL translation for the sake of true Equal Communication Access especially among Deaf people. Thank you.
You know, I had told others that I wasn’t going to reply to you, Ella. But after reading your comment several times, the more disturbed I became, and now I feel obligated to respond.
I am bothered on the continued emphasis on the differences between us and the hearing, because that only deepens the divide. The Deaf Community does not need any more divisions, *anywhere*.
This is not about Deaf people. This is not about hearing people. This is about human beings being able to communicate on a level playing field.
Furthermore, the readers of DeafRead know English. Not all know it fluently, but they do know English. To say otherwise, is an insult to them. I live in an area where Oralism is thriving and very much alive and those Deaf do not come on DeafRead, because they are truly illiterate. I have seen it up close and personal, and I live with it every single day here.
Not everyone knows ASL, however, and the entire point of ECA is to raise awareness with hearing people, who are CLUELESS about us and our community! By raising awareness, we start to level the playing field, Ella.
If people are not comfortable captioning their videos, because they’re not that fluent in English, then they can always ask someone to proof-read the captions.
Lastly, those rules were posted three weeks ago. I find it interesting that it is only now, after we get attention, that you raise objections.
DBC and ECA has the same goals, Ella. Shouldn’t we be supporting each other even if we have different methods in accomplishing those goals?
I think both Ella and Deaf Pundit have made some valid statements here.
Ella asks…if we are requesting that vlogs done in ASL must also include English, then why are we not requesting that blogs done in English also include ASL?
This is a good question, and worth thinking about and discussing. Hopefully we can engage in some “intelligent discourse” on the matter.
However, I think we need to bear in mind that the concept is Equal Communication Access, not necessarily a discussion of ASL/English or Bi-Lingualism…although they certainly can play into the picture of ECA.
If one looks at the rules carefully, you will notice that it is stated that a vlog can use any communication method desired – including Cued Speech, Verbal Speech, or other sign systems…not only ASL. However, regardless of what communication method is incorporated into the video, it still needs to be made accessible for both deaf and hearing viewers. The way to make the video widely accessible for the greatest majority of people we anticipate will be viewing it is to include either English captions/subtitles or an English transcript.
Now, the question is…what about vice versa? If a person submits an English written blog, should it be translated into ASL for those who are not proficient in English?
In an ideal world, that certainly would be nice. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that we can’t make this contest be ideal for everyone. I agree, it would be nice if all entries were in both ASL and English…but then, what about those people who want Cued Speech? What about those people who demand captioning embedded in the video itself because they don’t want to have to read an included but separate transcript? Would such requests be appropriate? Realistic? Would it even be fair to require such from every entry?
Equal Communication Access doesn’t always translate into IDEAL Communication Access. For example, I am a Deaf individual who grew up oral with English as my first language, and learned ASL later in life. I now consider myself Bi-Lingual. I’ve used both ASL interpreters and CART services, and see the pros and cons to both services. If I had a true choice, I would be using BOTH services, so that I would have the full advantage of full bilingual communication access. However, in most cases I’m not given that option, so I have to settle for one or the other. This would still be considered as meeting the definition of Equal Communication Access, in that I now have that level playing field that Deaf Pundit speaks of. It may not be perfect, but I do have access.
I am inclined to agree that it is expected that the people who will be participating in this contest do have English competency. The judges are all capable of evaluating entries written in English, and most are also capable of comprehending ASL as well. I expect that the individuals who will be reading these blogs or watching the vlogs/videos are skilled in English as well.
Like I said, I do understand and appreciate Ella’s point, but I’m not sure that it fits into the theme of the our contest, which as has been pointed out, is to help raise awareness – particularly within the general public – of what Equal Communication Access means and why it is important for all of us.
The harsh reality is that yeah…you do need to have a certain level of literacy here in order to participate in this contest. I think we can all agree that no matter where you stand on the whole “Deafhood Spectrum” – developing literacy and bi-lingual language skills is important.
I also have to agree…it’s a little late in the game at this point. The Judges Panel developed, discussed, and approved the rules as posted, and we are receiving entries based on such. I’m not sure it’s fair to go back and change the rules at this point.
So while I do thank Ella for raising the question, which is a thought-provoking one, I do have to side with Deaf Pundit in saying that this may not be the best time or the best venue for attempting to address that issue.
Thank you.
I lost respect you, Ella. I am seldom afraid of Ella led a witch-hunt against oralist deaf, CI deaf Cue deaf people.
Hi all!
I appreciate your trying to see my view. I didn’t come back here to check the comments after posting mine. I have yet to learn how to apply RSS or comment updates so bear with my technological limitations.
I have been fortunate to have talked with Deaf Pundit in ASL yesterday over the VP. I haven’t had the chance to talk with you yet. Hope we will.
Anyway, I want to emphasize that I am NOT objecting to the idea of requiring captions or English translation of ASL vlogs for this contest as I understood very well your intentions. What I am objecting to is the definition of Equal Communication Access. I am ASSUMING (correct me if I am wrong) that ECA is focusing on “human rights” of Deaf people in terms of communicating. I am ASSUMING that you consider the Deaf community a bi-lingual community using both ASL and written English primarily (with additional English or speech based educational tools like Cued Speech, SEE, etc). Based on that assumption, I found inequality of languages in the rules for this contest. I think that is far worse oppression than inequality of communication. If you are viewing the community solely from the “disabled” point of view, then there is a serious problem not because we “eek” disabled identity, but because historically starting with speech-only education to Section 504 to PL94-142 to ADA, Deaf people generally got the bad end of the deal. Why encourage this suffering to continue while trying to fit in the disability community as much as possible? Is it because the American disability community apparently has more power, more numbers, more money and of course, speaks the majority language?
I hope this fits your idea of an intellectual dialouge. I also would appreciate continuing it in ASL as well. Any reason it can’t? I hope it is not because you think ASL is inferior and unworthy.